System and method for supplying day care providers with products

ABSTRACT

A system and method for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. The system includes a holder and a diaper that is secured to the holder. In some embodiments, the system further includes a pair of gloves and a wipe that are secured to the holder. In other embodiments, the system further includes a pair of shoe covers and a wipe that are secured to the holder. The method includes securing a diaper to a holder and securing a wipe to the holder. In some embodiments, the method further includes securing a pair of gloves to the holder and delivering the holder to a day care provider. In other embodiments, the method further includes securing a pair of shoe covers to the holder and delivering the holder to a day care provider.

FIELD

Some embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for supplying day care providers with products, and in particular to a system and method that includes supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing.

BACKGROUND

Day care providers have unique needs when it comes to the products they use to change diapers. One of the reasons day care providers have unique needs is that they are subject to hygiene standards which are established by various government agencies. As an example, employees of day care providers are often required to sanitize their hands before and/or after every diaper change. Day care providers are also typically required to clean and sanitize the surfaces of the diaper changing area before and/or after every diaper change.

In addition, day care providers are also commonly required to change diapers at least once per period of time without regard to how much waste is actually contained within the diapers. The high number of diaper changes per day requires day care providers to stock high quantities of diaper changing materials. Stocking high quantities of diaper changing materials takes up significant space such that day care providers often struggle to find an adequate place to store the diaper changing materials.

Day care providers are also typically unable to efficiently access the appropriate products during diapers changes because of the way that the products are delivered. As an example, diapers may be supplied in one package, wipes in another package and sanitizers in yet another package. The inefficiency associated with accessing so many different diaper changing products from separate packages is problematic for day care providers because so many diapers are changed every day. In addition, since diaper changing products are typically delivered to day care providers in multiple different packages of assorted sizes and quantities, it is difficult for day care providers to maintain an accurate inventory of diaper changing supplies.

There is a need for systems and methods that are able to address the particular needs of day care providers for products related to diaper changing. The systems and methods should also be able to supply day care providers with products related to diaper changing in a manner that facilitates multiple diaper changes per day under sanitized conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. The system and method may supply day care providers with products such that day care providers are able to conveniently perform multiple diaper changes per day under sanitized conditions and in compliance with government regulations. The system and method may also reduce the need to purchase and store excessive inventories of products that are used to change diapers.

In addition, the system and method may allow day care providers to turn diaper changing into a profit center by allowing day care providers to readily pass along charges to their clients for the products that are used to change diapers. Many of a day care provider's clients would gladly pay a premium not to have to continually bring diaper changing supplies to the day care provider.

In one aspect, the system includes a holder and a diaper that is secured to the holder. The system further includes a sanitizer and a wipe that are secured to the holder. Supplying a diaper, a sanitizer and a wipe all in one holder allows day care providers to more conveniently perform each diaper change.

In another aspect, the system includes a holder and a plurality of diapers that are secured to the holder. The system further includes a plurality of sanitizers (i.e., a plurality of individual supplies of sanitizer) and a plurality of wipes that are secured to the holder. The system allows day care providers to conveniently perform multiple diaper changes per day under sanitized conditions because there is an ample supply of each diaper changing product in the holder.

In still another aspect, the system includes a holder, a plurality of diapers, a plurality of sanitizers, a plurality of wipes and a plurality of receptacles. Each receptacle is secured to the holder and includes a diaper, a sanitizer and a wipe. Since each receptacle includes everything that may be needed for at least one diaper change, the system makes it easier for day care providers to inventory the products that are used to change diapers.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of supplying day care providers with products. The method includes securing a diaper, a sanitizer and a wipe to a holder. The method further includes delivering the holder to a day care provider such that the day care provider can readily use the products in the system to perform a diaper change under sanitized conditions.

In yet another aspect, the method includes securing a plurality of diapers, a plurality of pairs of gloves and a plurality of wipes to a holder. The method further includes delivering the holder to a day care provider such that the day care provider can efficiently use the products in the holder to perform multiple diaper changes per day.

In still another aspect, the method includes securing a plurality of diapers, a plurality of wipes and a plurality of sanitizers to a plurality of receptacles such that there is a diaper, wipe and sanitizer secured to each of the receptacles. The method further includes securing the plurality of receptacles to a holder and delivering the holder to a day care provider. The individual receptacles within the holder may make it easier for day care providers to inventory an appropriate amount of products that relate to diaper changing since one receptacle can be used for each diaper change. In addition, the cost for each receptacle may be readily passed along to clients of the day care provider.

The purposes and features of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows. Additional features of the invention may be realized and attained by the product and processes particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood, and further features will become apparent, when reference is made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Like parts depicted in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an example system and method for supplying day care providers with products.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of another example system and method for supplying day care providers with products.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of still another example system and method for supplying day care providers with products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes made, such that the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. The system 100 includes a holder 10 and a diaper 12 that is secured to the holder 10. The system 100 further includes a sanitizer 14 and a wipe 16 that are secured to the holder 10. As used herein, “secured” means containing, constraining, enclosing, holding, compressing, contacting or supporting within, upon and/or against the holder by any method.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates that a box may be used as holder 10, it should be noted that any type of container or storage device may used in system 100. Some other example containers, or holders, include cans, jars, racks, bags, pouches, cubbies, shelves, drawers, dispensers, spindles, cores, cupboards, closets, clips, cabinets, crates, trunks, totes and/or tubs (among others).

The holder 10 may be disposable or reusable and may be plain or decorated in some manner. In addition, the holder 10 may be used as a shipping container or to perform some other function.

Any type of diaper 12 may be used in system 100 or any of the systems described herein. Some example diapers include newborn diapers, premature baby diapers, overnight diapers and diapers of various other sizes. Other examples diapers include specialized diapers, such as diapers for urine absorption, feces absorption, blood absorption, sweat absorption, menses absorption and diapers that apply a lotion or medication. The diapers may also be swim pants, training pants, diaper pants (PULLUPS®, EASY UPS®, GOODNIGHTS®) and absorbent underpants (among others).

In some example embodiments, diaper 12 may be a low absorbency diaper that can be used instead of a thicker more absorbent diaper. The low absorbency diaper may be used in part because day care providers are required to change diapers every so often without regard to how much waste is actually contained within the diapers. In addition, using a thinner low absorbency diaper in system 100 may be desirable in order to minimize the space that is necessary to store the large quantity of diapers which are typically used by day care providers.

As used herein, a sanitizer is something that sterilizes or cleans and sterilizes. The sanitizer 14 may be any type of sanitizer (e.g., alcohol) known now or discovered in the future. In addition, the sanitizer 14 may include an individual packet, bag or container of sanitizer. Some example sanitizers include sanitizers that are for changing surfaces (hard and soft) and/or human hands. Other example sanitizers include sprays, soaps, aerosols, pumps, dispensers (e.g. non-contact dispensers). The sanitizer 14 may be used to sterilize, or clean and sterilize, an individual that performs a diaper change and/or changing surfaces within a diaper changing area (e.g., surfaces on a changing pad) before and/or after a diaper change.

It should be noted that the wipes 16 may be any type of wipes. Some example wipes include wet wipes, pre-moistened wipes, dry wipes, tissues, hand towels, paper towels, toilet paper, and wipes on a roll. In some forms of the system 100, the wipe 16 may be stored in an individual packet, or container, in order to avoid cross contamination when multiple diaper changes are performed by the day care.

The system 100 may further include a changing pad 18, a disposal bag 20, a pair of shoe coverings 22, a lotion 24 and/or a pair of gloves 26. It should be noted any combination or sub-combination of a diaper 12, sanitizer 14, wipe 16, changing pad 18, disposal bag 20, pair of shoe coverings 22, lotion 24 and pair of gloves 26 may be included in system 100.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, diaper 12, sanitizer 14, wipe 16, changing pad 18, disposal bag 20, pair of shoe coverings 22, lotion 24 and pair of gloves 26 are shown schematically as various different shapes (i.e., square, oval circle, rectangle, triangle, star, ellipse and thinner rectangle respectively). It should be noted that these items may take any actual form. In addition, one or more of the items may be placed within a packet, bag, container and/or box (among other storage devices) before being secured to holder 10.

Changing pad 18 may be of any size, shape or material. In addition, changing pad 18 may be rolled, folded or secured in any manner to holder 10. The changing pad 18 may be single or multi-layer. In some example embodiments, the changing pad 18 may include a hydrophobic layer to resist liquid strikethrough and/or a hydrophillic layer that is capable of absorbing fluids (e.g., body fluids). In addition, the changing pad 18 may include a high friction surface that is placed away from the baby to maintain the changing pad 18 in position on a changing table. The changing pad 18 may also be dispensed from a roll and/or a perforated web for easy individualized dispensing.

Disposal bag 20 may be any type, size, shape or material. Some example disposal bags include plastic disposal bags made from thin flexible materials. In some embodiments, the disposal bag may be designed to neutralize, destroy, trap and/or contain odors. In some forms of the system 100, disposal bag 20 may be sized so that every item in system 100 can be stored in disposal bag 20 for discarding once a diaper change has been completed using system 100. The disposal bag 20 may also be used to store one or more of the items in the system 100 before the system 100 is used to change a diaper.

Any type of shoe covering 22 may be used in system 10, or any of the systems described herein. Some example shoe coverings include any shoe covering that is typically used in a sanitary environment. The shoe coverings 22 may be for single use or durable use. The shoe coverings 22 may be made from one or materials such as synthetic fibers (e.g., polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides and polyolefin). The shoe coverings 22 may also be made from natural fibers such as cellulose, cotton, rayon, wool and the like. The type of shoe coverings 22 will depend in part on the application where the system 100 is used.

In one example embodiment, the lotion 24 may include an individual packet, bag or container of lotion. Some example lotions include ointments, moisturizers, emollients and lubricants that may adapted for use on a care giver or a child. In addition, the pair of gloves 26 may include any type of glove. The pair of gloves 26 may be made for single use or durable use. Some example types of gloves 26 include latex, rubber, neoprene, moistened gloves and medicated gloves.

FIG. 1 shows that the holder 10 may include indicia 28 that provide information to the day care provider. As an example, indicia 28 may indicate a size of the diaper 12 that is secured to the holder 10 and/or may provide instructions as to the procedures to be used to change a diaper (among other pieces of information).

Another example system 200 for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing is shown in FIG. 2. The system 200 includes a holder 50 and a plurality of diapers 12 that are secured to the holder 50. The system 200 further includes a plurality of sanitizers 14 and a plurality of wipes 16 that are secured to the holder 50.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates a box being used as holder 50, it should be noted that any type of container or storage device may used in system 200. Some other example containers, or holders, include cans, jars, racks, bags and/or pouches (among other storage devices).

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2, there are an equal number of diapers 12, sanitizers 14 and wipes 16 that are secured to the holder 50. The number of diapers 12, sanitizers 14 and wipes 16 will depend on the application where the system 200 is used. As an example, mores wipes 16 may be secured to the holder 50 to account for some diaper changes being especially messy and requiring more than one wipe 16.

The system 200 may further include a plurality of changing pads 18, a plurality of disposal bags 20 and a plurality of pairs of shoe coverings 22 that are each secured to the holder 50. In addition, the system 200 may further include a plurality of supplies of lotion 24 and/or a plurality of pairs of gloves 26 that are secured to the holder 50.

In some embodiments, there are an equal number of diapers 12, changing pads 18, disposal bags 20 and pairs of shoe coverings 22 within the holder 50. The number of diapers 12, changing pads 18, disposal bags 20 and pairs of shoe coverings 22 will depend on the application where the system 200 is used. It should noted any combination or sub-combination of diapers 12, pairs of gloves 14, wipes 16, changing pads 18, disposal bags 20, pairs of shoe coverings 22, supplies of lotion 24 and pairs of gloves 26 may be included in system 200.

Although the diapers 12, pairs of gloves 14, wipes 16, changing pads 18, disposal bags 20, pairs of shoe coverings 22, supplies of lotion 24 and pairs of gloves 26 are shown schematically as various different shapes in FIG. 2, it should be noted that each of these items may take any actual form. In addition, any of the items may be placed into any type of storage device before being secured to the holder 50.

In some example embodiments, the plurality of diapers 12 may be stored in a first dispenser 51 that is able to distribute individual diapers and the plurality of sanitizers 14 may stored in a second dispenser 52 that is able to distribute individual sanitizers. In addition, the plurality of wipes 16 may be stored in a third dispenser 53 that is able to distribute individual wipes. It should be noted that any of the changing pads 18, disposal bags 20, pairs of shoe coverings 22, supplies of lotion 24 and pairs of gloves 26 may be stored in a dispenser that distributes individual quantities of each item.

As shown in FIG. 2, the holder 50 may include indicia 28 that provide information. As an example, the indicia 28 may indicate the sizes of the diapers 12 that are secured to the holder 50 and/or provide instructions to an individual as to how to change a diaper (among other pieces of information).

FIG. 3 shows another example system 300 for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. The system 300 includes a holder 90, a plurality of diapers 12, a plurality of sanitizers 14 and a plurality of wipes 16.

The system 300 further includes a plurality of receptacles 92. Each receptacle 92 is secured to the holder 90 and includes a diaper 12, a sanitizer 14 and a wipe 16 such that the receptacle 92 may be similar to the holder 10 shown in FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, a changing pad 18, a disposal bag 20, a pair of shoe coverings 22, a lotion 24 and/or a pair of gloves 26 may be individually, or in any combination or sub-combination, placed within each receptacle 92. As discussed above each diaper 12, sanitizer 14, wipe 16, changing pad 18, disposal bag 20, pair of shoe coverings 22, supply of lotion 24 and pair of gloves 26 may be placed within any type of box, container, holder or other storage device before being placed within one of the receptacles 92.

In some example embodiments, the holder 90 and/or the receptacles 92 may include indicia 28 that provide information. As an example, the indicia 28 may indicate the sizes of the diapers 12 that are secured to the holder 90 and/or each receptacle 92.

A method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing is described herein with reference to FIG. 1. The method includes securing a diaper 12 and a sanitizer 14 to a holder 10. The method further includes securing a wipe 16 to the holder 10 and delivering the holder 10 to a day care provider.

It should be noted that the method may further include placing indicia 28 on the holder 10 that provide one or more pieces of information. In some example embodiments, securing a diaper 12, a sanitizer 14 and a wipe 16 to a holder 10 may include placing the diaper 12, sanitizer 14 and wipe 16 within a container, or box (see, e.g., FIG. 1).

The method may further include securing one or more of a diaper 12, sanitizer 14, wipe 16, changing pad 18, disposal bag 20, pair of shoe coverings 22, lotion 24 and pair of gloves 26 to the holder 10. The type of items that are secured to the holder 10 will depend on the application where the method is used (i.e., the needs of a particular daycare).

FIG. 2 shows another method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. The method includes securing a plurality of diapers 12 and a plurality of sanitizers 14 to a holder 50. The method further includes securing a plurality of wipes 16 to the holder 50 and delivering the holder 50 to a day care provider. In some embodiments, there may be an equal number of diapers 12, sanitizers 14 and wipes 16 secured to the holder 50.

The method may further include securing one or more of a (i) a plurality of changing pads 18 to the holder 50; (ii) a plurality of pairs of shoe coverings 22 to the holder 50; (iii) a plurality of disposal bags 20 to the holder 50; (iv) a plurality of pairs of gloves 26 to the holder 50; and/or (v) a plurality of supplies of lotion 24 to the holder 50. It should be noted that securing one or more of a plurality of changing pads 18, pairs of shoe coverings 22, disposal bags 20, pairs of gloves 26 and supplies of lotion 24 to the holder 50 may include securing an equal number of one or more of these items to the holder 50.

FIG. 2 shows that securing a plurality of diapers 12, sanitizers 14 and wipes 16 to the holder 10 may include placing the diapers 12, sanitizers 14 and wipes 16 within a container, or box. In addition, securing one or more of a plurality of changing pads 18, pairs of shoe coverings 22, disposal bags 20, pairs of gloves 26 and supplies of lotion 24 to the holder 50 may include placing one or more of these items within the container, or box. It should be noted any of the items described above as possibly being placed within the holder 50 may be placed into at least one other storage device before being placed within the holder 50.

FIG. 3 illustrates another method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. The method includes securing a plurality of diapers 12 and a plurality of wipes 16 to a plurality of receptacles 92. The method further includes securing a plurality of sanitizers 14 to the plurality of receptacles 92 such that there is a diaper 12, a wipe 16 and a sanitizer 14 secured to each receptacle 92.

The method further includes securing the plurality of receptacles 92 to a holder 90 and delivering the holder 90 to a day care provider. It should be noted that with a diaper 12, wipe 16 and sanitizer 14 secured to each receptacle 92, the receptacles 92 may become similar to the holder 10 shown in FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the method may further include securing individually, or in any combination or sub-combination, a changing pad 18, pair of shoe coverings 22, disposal bag 20, lotion 24 and/or pair of gloves 26 to each receptacle 92. Indicia 28 may be placed on each receptacle 92 and/or holder 90 to indicate a size of the diaper 12 that is in each receptacle 92 and/or to indicate the contents of each receptacle 92 (among other pieces of information).

The operations discussed above with respect to the described methods may be performed in a different order from those described herein. It should be noted that the number and type of products within the system and method may vary as long as needs of day care providers are considered. It should be noted that delivering a holder to a day care provider includes (i) delivering a holder directly to a day care provider; and/or (ii) delivering a holder to a day care provider through a distribution chain.

FIGS. 1-3 are representational and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.

The systems and methods described herein may supply day care providers with diaper changing products in a manner that facilitates multiple diaper changes per day under sanitized conditions. The systems and methods may also make it easier for day care providers to inventory an appropriate amount of diaper changing products. In addition, the system and method may allow day care providers to readily turn diaper changing into a profit center by charging their clients for the products that are used during diaper changing.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these aspects which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, which should be assessed accordingly to that of the appended claims. 

1-33. (canceled)
 34. A system for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the system comprising: a holder; a diaper secured to the holder; a pair of gloves secured to the holder; and a wipe secured to the holder.
 35. The system of claim 34 further comprising a pair of shoe coverings secured to the holder.
 36. The system of claim 34 further comprising a sanitizer secured to the holder.
 37. The system of claim 34 further comprising a lotion secured to the holder.
 38. The system of claim 34 wherein the holder is a container.
 39. The system of claim 34 wherein the container is a box.
 40. The system of claim 34 wherein the diaper is a low absorbency diaper.
 41. A system for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the system comprising: a holder; a diaper secured to the holder; a pair of shoe coverings secured to the holder; and a wipe secured to the holder.
 42. The system of claim 41 further comprising a pair of gloves secured to the holder.
 43. The system of claim 41 further comprising a sanitizer secured to the holder.
 44. The system of claim 41 further comprising a lotion secured to the holder.
 45. The system of claim 41 wherein the holder is a container.
 46. The system of claim 45 wherein the container is a box.
 47. A system for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the system comprising: a holder; a diaper secured to the holder; a pair of shoe coverings secured to the holder; a pair of gloves secured to the holder; a sanitizer secured to the holder; a lotion secured to the holder; a changing pad secured to the holder; a disposal bag secured to the holder; and a wipe secured to the holder.
 48. The system of claim 47 wherein the holder is a container.
 49. The system of claim 47 wherein the container is a box.
 50. The system of claim 47 wherein the diaper is a low absorbency diaper.
 51. A method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the method comprising: securing a diaper to a holder; securing a pair of gloves to the holder; securing a wipe to the holder; and delivering the holder to a day care provider.
 52. The method of claim 51 further comprising: securing a pair of shoe coverings to the holder; and securing a disposal bag to the holder.
 53. The method of claim 51 further comprising: securing a changing pad to the holder; and securing a sanitizer to the holder.
 54. The method of claim 51 wherein securing a diaper, a pair of gloves and a wipe to a holder includes placing the diaper, pair of gloves and wipe within a container.
 55. A method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the method comprising: securing a diaper to a holder; securing a pair of shoe coverings to the holder; securing a wipe to the holder; and delivering the holder to a day care provider.
 56. The method of claim 55 further comprising: securing a pair of gloves to the holder; and securing a disposal bag to the holder.
 57. The method of claim 55 further comprising: securing a changing pad to the holder; and securing a sanitizer to the holder.
 58. The method of claim 55 wherein securing a diaper, a pair of shoe coverings and a wipe to a holder includes placing the diaper, pair of shoe coverings and wipe within a container.
 59. A method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the method comprising: securing a diaper to a holder; securing a pair of gloves to the holder; securing a pair of shoe coverings to the holder; securing a disposal bag to the holder; securing a wipe to the holder; and delivering the holder to a day care provider.
 60. The method of claim 59 further comprising: securing a changing pad to the holder; and securing a sanitizer to the holder.
 61. The method of claim 59 wherein securing a diaper, a pair of gloves, a pair of shoe coverings, a disposal bag and a wipe to a holder includes placing the diaper, pair of gloves, pair of shoe coverings, disposal bag and wipe within a container. 